Cinema VinesThe much‑anticipated film Ramayana, featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sai Pallavi, was slated to open on Dussehra, October 20, but as of 9:30 a.m. only a handful of theatres had begun taking advance bookings. The delay is reportedly the result of a standoff between distributors and exhibitors over revenue‑sharing terms.
According to a source familiar with the negotiations, distributors are demanding a 60 % share of the box office in the first week, 50 % in the second week and 40 % in the third week. By contrast, the industry norm for big releases is 52.5 % in week one, 45 % in week two and 37.5 % in week three. The higher percentages requested by the Ramayana distributors have made exhibitors wary, leading to a reluctance to open bookings until an agreement is reached.
The source added that unless both parties settle on mutually acceptable terms, the advance booking could be postponed. “Everyone is keen to release Ramayana on a grand scale, but there has to be mutual consensus when it comes to commercial terms,” the source said.
So far, only a few multiplexes have opened bookings. INOX Korum Mall in Thane is the sole cinema in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region to have started taking reservations, while AMB Cinemas Kapali in Bengaluru has also begun accepting bookings.
Ramayana is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 5. The industry and fans alike are watching closely to see whether the dispute can be resolved in time for the Dussehra opening.
